“Goodmorning.” The fair woman said, walking toward the counter. She had an accent Aine noticed, and smiled. The smile the woman returned gave her chills, Aine tried not to let her discomfort show.“Goodmorning, welcome to Caine's Floral shop, How can I help you?” Aine said in her most kind voice, even though she really wanted this woman to be on her way.“I was looking for an orchid, with a vase to go with it. I just moved here you see.” she added the last part conversationally. Aine nodded, she didn't feel conversational, she felt on edge.“we have that, we do. Let me get those orchids for you.” she went around the counter to a tall shelf that displayed really beautiful orchids, they relaxed her by just looking at them, and made her smile. One of the perks of owning a flower shop. You were always around flowers, flowers were good for the soul, at least that's how she viewed it. She turned to the woman who immediat

Aine walked to the shop, a new song in her heart. She didn’t know if the dreams would continue, but she was ready. Her heart was ready for new love. ~~~~ Bryan wasn’t sure what to get her. It was her birthday soon and he had jewelry on his mind. A bracelet to be exact. He wanted something that said “ I thought of you all the way through” He brushed his mare, Sweetheart, a smile on his face. He was waiting for some customers who wanted to take a look at some of his horses. He wasn’t sure he was ready to see them go, just yet, so he made up his mind that he would sell to anyone who didn’t seem capable of taking care of his Babies. Yes, He considered them as his babies. But as for Sweetheart, she was going nowhere. He looked at and rubbed his nose against her nuzzle. “ Forever, Sweetheart. Forever.” And she neighed. “ Hello.” He heard a voice call from outside his barn. “ It’s time.” He said to sweetheart, running a hand down her mane, he headed for the door. ~~~ She walked into

Rhoda thought on and off about what to do next. He would not shrug her off just like that. He would not push her aside. He would not choose that little thing over her. She paced the living room of the house she rented and then collapsed on the chair, tears streaming down her face. If it hadn’t been for Bryan’s best friend, Duncan, he would never have found out about peter, her lover. “ stupid Duncan.” she heaved out. “ stupid peter.” she squeaked. When Bryan let go of their relationship, she had thought he was bluffing. She called his bluff, let him take what she had thought as space. She had not foreseen him leaving London for Ireland. SHe had not foreseen him moving here and finding Love. she had expected him to pine, to beg.  She had been wrong.              &

He watched them through the woods. He had a cigar in between his lips, and his hands in the pocket of the his trousers. So it was true, he thought. What Rhoda had told him about the both of them was true. He took out the cigarette from his mouth and ground it beneath his boots, “ little tramp.” he swore. She would pay, they both would, he vowed.                                                         ~~~~~  He put an arm around her, and held sweetheart’s rein in the other. She wrapped both arms around him, holding the bouquet of

“Callum is the man I was with.” Bryan folded a leg underneath and rested an arm on the head of the couch they shared. He adjusted a push pillow behind her, saying with his eyes, he wanted her to relax. She did. Tried to at least. She blew out a breath and looked up at him. “ Are you done talking about Rhoda?” he searched his mind. “ she came to your shop.” he said, not a question. But a statement, so cool. It made her worry about telling him that tidbit. Because he was sure she was the one, and so was she. Surprisingly, so was she. “ Twice, and Kenell nearly attacked. Kenell attacks nothing but squirrels and his own tail.” She was doing her best to lighten the gravity of the situation. Bryan caught it, smiled, but she could see it in eyes, the seriousness, the weight. “ What could she want?” he asked quietly, and ran his